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Acknowledgment of country

The Australian SHAPE EMCR Network recognises Australia's First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Owners and custodians of this land, and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge the continued cultural and spiritual connections to country and community.

20 Nov 2024
Quarterly Newsletters
By SHAPE media

Quarterly Newsletter | November 2024

Featured Event: SHAPE Futures EMCR Network Annual Convention

  • 1-5pm, Thursday 28 November
  • University of Western Australia, Perth

Join us for an afternoon of expert-led discussion on the topic of academic workload and burnout, featuring a keynote panel and advocacy strategy workshop with Prof Antonia Girardi (Pro Vice Chancellor, College of Business, Murdoch University), Dr Lara McKenzie (Research Fellow, School of Social Sciences, UWA), and Dr Hannah Forsyth (Historian and Author of Virtue Capitalists). This will be followed by a networking event at the UWA University Club.

Sign up or get more information here.

Our latest advocacy

Over the last few months,

In September, SHAPE Futures Chairperson Sarah Midford attended a consultation session with Australia’s Chief Scientist, Cathy Foley, to discuss the development of best practice outcomes arising from the report “Research Assessment in Australia: Evidence for Modernisation” prepared by ACOLA. At this meeting a new framework for Researcher Assessment was discussed, and the specific needs of SHAPE EMCRs was tabled.

SHAPE Futures contributed to the National Digital Research Infrastructure (NDRI) Investment Plan Consultation Survey in October. The NDRI Investment Plan is being developed by the Federal Department of Education, with support from the NDRI Working Group, to implement the NDRI Strategy. The survey included questions on the topics of data, NDRI for Humanities, Social Sciences and GLAM, AI, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples NDRI, NDRI skills, software, and cybersecurity.

SHAPE Futures Policy Officer, Tully Barnett, attended the DASSH Annual Conference in Adelaide this September. The Deans and Associate Deans of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences in attendance expressed considerable interest in the SHAPE Futures Network and the executive committee will continue to work with DASSH to explore further connections between the two organisations.

Earlier this year the SHAPE Futures Executive Committee put out a statement about the DECRA changes, which were not effectively communicated to Early Career researchers. The ARC subsequently met with representatives of SHAPE Futures to discuss ways to improve communications about DECRA changes. This followed a clarification of changes through ARC communication channels. SHAPE sought clarification that the changes would not have any adverse effects on applicants, including eligibility windows being appropriately adjusted.

Have you ever considered leaving academia?

We’d like to know whether you’ve ever considered leaving academia. Answers are anonymous and will be used to inform discussions at the Annual Convention and in SHAPE Future’s advocacy work. Vote in our poll here.

Upcoming events and opportunities

CHASS Future Leaders Writing Prize
Nominations for the CHASS Future Leaders Writing Prize are now open. The Writing Prize aims to recognise and reward young Australian writers (35 and under), including those in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The winner will receive $2000. Nominations close 30 November. More information here.

EOI applications open for 2026 Discovery Projects
Expressions of Interest applications for Discovery Projects are now open for funding commencing in 2026. Applications close 13 December 2024 at 5:00pm (AEDT). More information here.

Congress of HASS 2024

  • 25-29 November 2024
  • Perth

The Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences will be bringing together the largest gathering of humanities, arts, and social sciences scholars in Australia for this year’s annual Congress of HASS in Perth. A number of HASS associations will be participating in the Congress, covering a range of topics such as Indigenous Knowledges, autoethnographic research, and academic burnout. The SHAPE Futures EMCR Network Annual Convention also coincides with this year’s Congress. More information here.

2024 Shape the Nation Lecture

  • 5-7pm, 28 November 2024
  • University of Western Australia, Perth

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia will be hosting the 2024 Shape the Nation lecture as part of the Congress of HASS in Perth. This year’s lecture will be delivered by Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM. Dr Foley will explore the role social sciences play in addressing Australia’s most pressing challenges and shaping a better future. The Lecture will take place immediately after our Annual Convention, so make sure to come along to both sessions if you’re in Perth. More information here.

HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons Summer School

  • 4-6 February 2025
  • The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus, Brisbane/Meanjin

The Australian Research Data Commons will be running their third annual HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons Summer School in February. The Summer School aims to empower participants with practical knowledge, build digital skills, and help inspire new research outcomes within the humanities, arts, social sciences, and Indigenous fields of study. The Summer School is free to attend and travel bursaries are available. More information here.

New Executive Committee members

Since our last newsletter there has been some changes to the Executive Committee. The inaugural Network Chairperson Associate Professor Melissa Day stepped down having served in the role between 2021 and 2023. Associate Professor Sarah Midford took up the Chairperson two-year position in January 2024. Also stepping down for 2024 were Professor Murieann Irish (Membership Coordinator), Dr Michelle Tye (Media and Communications Coordinator), Dr Rebecca Ananian-Welsh (ordinary member), and Dr Elise Klein (ordinary member). In 2024, the committee has welcomed a new Co-Deputy Chairperson, Dr Alexa Ridgway, and a new Media Officer, Dr. Sam McKay.

The committee would like to thank all outgoing members for everything they contributed to SHAPE Futures and the Executive Committee, and to welcome all incoming members. For anyone interested in discussing being a member of the SHAPE Futures Executive Committee, feel free to reach out to the Chairperson to discuss upcoming opportunities.

Do you know other EMCRs working in SHAPE who would like to join our network?

They are welcome to join, it is free, and they can sign up here.

Stay informed

We send our members updates on news, advice, resources, events and much more straight to their inbox. Enquire about joining our network to get be involved.

Become a member

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian SHAPE EMCR Network recognises Australia’s First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Owners and custodians of this land, and pays respect to Elders past and present. We acknowledge the continued cultural and spiritual connections to Country and community.